This concise summary outlines the Prophetic Guidance in Ramadan, as documented in the authentic books of Sunnah. This collection serves as a reminder for brothers and sisters of the Prophet’s ﷺ practices and an invitation to implement them in our daily lives.
The objective is to clarify the Prophet’s ﷺ words, actions, and approvals regarding Ramadan. This article does not focus on legal rulings (obligatory vs. recommended) unless necessary for clarity. Below are twenty-one essential matters concerning his guidance.
1. Announcing the Month and Its Virtues
The Prophet ﷺ used to give glad tidings of Ramadan’s arrival. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah has made its fasting obligatory upon you. In it, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained [1]…” (Ahmad and an-Nasa’i).
Note: The famous “Salman al-Farsi” hadith (dividing the month into mercy, forgiveness, and salvation) is considered inauthentic (Da’if/Munkar) by scholars like Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hajar [3].
2. Sighting the Crescent Moon
The Prophet ﷺ commenced fasting only upon a verified sighting. He said:
“Fast when you see it [the crescent] and break your fast when you see it. If it is obscured, then complete the count of Shaban as thirty days.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
3. Prohibition of Preceding Ramadan
One should not fast a day or two before Ramadan to “be safe.
“None of you should precede Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, unless it is a man who habitually observes a fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
4. Establishing Intention (Niyyah) at Night
The intention must be made before Fajr.
“Whoever does not establish the intention to fast during the night, there is no fast for him.” (An-Nasa’i).
The heart’s resolve is the intention; verbalizing it is not a Sunnah requirement.
5. Purity and Fasting
Ritual purity is not a condition for the validity of the start of a fast. Aisha and Umm Salama reported that Fajr would reach the Prophet ﷺ while he was in a state of Janaba (major impurity) from his wives; he would then perform Ghusl and continue his fast [6].
6. Moderation in Wudu (Istinshaq)
The Prophet ﷺ advised: “Perform Wudu thoroughly… and sniff water deep into the nose unless you are fasting.” (The Four Sunan).
7. Increased Generosity and Quran Study
Ibn Abbas reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him every night to study the Quran.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
8. Continuous Fasting (Wisal)
The Prophet ﷺ occasionally practiced Wisal (fasting multiple days without breaking) but forbade it for his Ummah out of mercy. He stated: “I am not like you; my Lord feeds me and gives me drink” [18].
9. The Pre-dawn Meal (Suhoor)
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized: “Take Suhoor, for indeed in Suhoor there is blessing.” (Bukhari and Muslim). He would delay it until approximately the time it takes to recite fifty verses before the Fajr prayer.
10. Hastening the Iftar
“The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim). This distinguishes Muslims from the People of the Book who delay it [30].
11. Supplication (Dua) While Fasting
The Prophet ﷺ indicated that the prayer of the fasting person is not rejected. His reported Dua upon breaking the fast:
“Dhahaba al-zama’u, wabtallat al-‘uruqu, wa thabata al-ajru in sha’ Allah.”
12. Breaking Fast with Dates
He ﷺ preferred breaking the fast with fresh dates (Rutab), or dry dates (Tamr), or sips of water. (Abu Daud).
13. Night Prayers (Tarawih)
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Qiyam: “Whoever stands [in prayer] during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Regarding the number of Rak’ahs, scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah noted that the Prophet ﷺ did not set a rigid number, allowing for flexibility between 11, 23, or more depending on the length of recitation [37].
14. Feeding the Fasting Person
“Whoever provides Iftar for a fasting person will have a reward like theirs…” (Tirmidhi).
15. Dua for the Host
If he broke his fast at someone’s home, he prayed: “May the fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels send blessings upon you.”
16. Protecting the Tongue
“Fasting is a shield… if someone insults him, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” (Bukhari and Muslim). Avoiding false speech is essential for the fast to be accepted.
17. Fasting While Traveling
The Prophet ﷺ fasted and broke his fast during travels, allowing companions to choose based on their strength and the difficulty of the journey.
18. Striving in the Last Ten Nights
In the final ten days, the Prophet ﷺ would “tighten his waist-belt,” stay awake in worship, and wake his family. He also practiced Itikaf (seclusion) during this period.
19. Seeking Laylat al-Qadr
He ﷺ instructed: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
20. The Special Dua for the Night of Decree
Aisha was taught to say: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni” (O Allah, You are Forgiving, You love forgiveness, so forgive me).
21. Zakat al-Fitr
The Prophet ﷺ mandated Zakat al-Fitr (one Sa’ of food) to be paid before the Eid prayer to purify the faster and feed the poor.
By Dr. Hamid Goufi
